ED Raids Ex-Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s Residence In CMRL Money Laundering Probe
Searches Conducted At Multiple Locations After High Court Refuses To Halt Investigation
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, May 27: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out searches at premises associated with former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several others in connection with the ongoing CMRL money laundering case, officials said.
According to sources, the federal agency conducted raids at nearly 10 locations across Kerala under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Among the premises searched was Vijayan’s rented residence in Thiruvananthapuram.
The action comes amid an investigation into alleged financial transactions involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company linked to Vijayan’s daughter T Veena.
Investigators suspect that Exalogic Solutions received around Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL between 2018 and 2019 without providing any corresponding services to the firm. The ED is examining whether the transactions violated provisions of the anti-money laundering law.
Officials said documents, digital devices and financial records are being scrutinised as part of the probe to determine the nature of the payments and any possible irregularities.
The development follows a major legal setback for CMRL after the Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed the company’s plea seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the matter. The court’s decision effectively cleared the way for the agency to continue its investigation.
The ED had registered a money laundering case in 2024 based on allegations linked to suspicious financial dealings involving the mining company and associated entities.
No official statement has yet been issued by Vijayan or his family regarding the searches. Meanwhile, political reactions are expected to intensify as the probe gains momentum in Kerala.
The case has drawn significant public and political attention due to the alleged financial links involving individuals connected to the former chief minister. Authorities said further action would depend on the evidence gathered during the searches and examination of financial transactions.
